A CLEANER MILK SUPPLY
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Sir Arbuthnot Lane refers- (in the .Spectator of October 5th) to the economic difficulties which must be overcome before the milk supply of the country can he brought up to a safe standard of cleanliness. Clean milk is scarce because its production is an extremely risky method of earning money. The outlay involved in the production of " certified " milk is very heavy, and the profits that can be earned are in no way commensurate with the risks. It is excessively difficult, as well as costly, to make sure that the milk is bottled day after day without bacteriological contamination from the dung of the cows. The penalty for contamination is, of course, the loss of the licence on which the whole business depends.
The risk of contamination is so great, and the profits to be made are so small, that the production of " certified " milk does not attract the capitalist, so that the country will be dependent probably for some years on individual farmers.
It is very important, then, that those who are anxious to increase the supply of " certified " milk should do all in their power to help these farmers, and a. practical method of doing so is suggested by Sir Arbuthnot Lane's letter. One of the chief items in the cost of " certified " milk, and one of the chief elements of risk in its production, is the use of glass bottles ; a waxed paper bottle, which would materially reduce the risks without increasing the costs, would stimulate enormously the production of this milk, so much so that the adoption of these containers is a matter of vital importance to the country. The container recommended by Sir Arbuthnot Lane is ideal, but the cost is prohibitive. A more recent form which is much cheaper is under investigation, but the only test which is of any value is the experience of its use in a commercial dairy farm. And this is just where progress is held up. A farmer cannot be expected to make an experiment in which the whole of his livelihood is at stake. In view of this fact I suggest that the Ministry of Health should be approached with the object of securing the trial of these paper containers in selected cases at the public expense.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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